Custom computer wallpaper and marketing system and method

ABSTRACT

An interactive system and method is disclosed for providing wallpaper or screen saver images for display on the background of a personal computer visual display. Wallpaper (or screen saver) images may be conveniently located by a consumer and downloaded from a wallpaper web site for use on the desktop of the consumer&#39;s personal computer. A clickable icon is incorporated into the wallpaper image or overlaid on the wallpaper image. When the icon is clicked on using a mouse, or otherwise activated by the consumer, the consumer&#39;s personal computer is automatically connected to a predetermined location on the Internet. Furthermore, sponsors may market their goods or services to consumers by paying a fee to have their clickable icons or advertisements incorporated into or overlaid on the wallpaper images. By clicking on the clickable icons or advertisements, the consumer is automatically connected to the sponsor&#39;s web site. In addition, a number of web sites may be affiliated with the wallpaper site, and consumers who subscribe to the wallpaper site may be able to conveniently purchase products or services from these affiliated sites by merely clicking on one or more pop-up buttons, or the like, after necessary consumer information has been given to the wallpaper web site.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/121,049, filed Feb. 22, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to an interactive system and method forobtaining and displaying images as wallpaper or screen saver images onthe desktop of a personal computer or similar environment. The inventionis also directed to an interactive marketing, sales, and purchasingsystem and method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is common for personal computers to include a provision fordisplaying a decorative image on the computer desktop. In aWindows®-based or MacIntosh®-based operating system, the desktop is theportion of the display that serves as a background. Decorative imagesthat are displayed on the desktop are known as wallpaper, and thewallpaper image normally remains present in the background of thedisplay during use of the computer. The various icons, task bars, andwindows of the operating system or applications are displayed over thisbackground. The placement of wallpaper images on the background servesto provide a decorative touch to the overall computer display, and givesthe computer user the opportunity to personalize the desktop display ofhis or her computer. Wallpaper images are usually included as part ofthe computer's operating system, or are added later by the user with theaddition of a designated wallpaper program or other software, or bydownloading images from various sources on the Internet, such as webpages, commercial sites, or the like. Often wallpaper images areacquired based upon a particular user's personal interests or pursuits.

Similarly to wallpaper, screen savers may also incorporate images suchas photographs, artwork or the like. Screen savers are programs that aregenerally set to become operative after a prescribed time period haspassed since the most recent input to a personal computer by a user. Thescreen saver program activates based upon an assumption that the user isno longer using the computer. The purpose of the screen saver is toprevent ghost images from appearing on the cathode ray tube of thecomputer monitor as a result of having the same image displayedconstantly over extended periods of time. By cycling through severalalternative images or by introducing animated elements, or the like,screen savers prevent this “bum in” of a particular image. Thus, screensavers are popular, and as described above with respect to wallpaper,computer users often like to personalize their screen saver images byselecting pictures, artwork or other images that are they findpersonally pleasing.

Prior art wallpaper and screen saver programs are usually loaded onto apersonal computer from a CD-Rom or floppy disk. For example, SecondNature Software, Inc., (www.secondnature.com) produces a wallpaper andscreen saver program for Windows® and MacIntosh® systems which isentitled “Slideshow”, and which is available on floppy disk. Thewallpaper program includes a plurality of images based upon a particulartheme or the work of a particular artist, and these images may be cycledthrough manually by the user, or on an automated basis by the program.The program also enables the user to download jpeg, bitmap, or otherimages using a separate web browser program, and incorporate thesedownloaded images into the image set to be displayed as wallpaper. Aplurality of images may be stored as an image set or display set, andthe program may be directed to cycle through the wallpaper images in thedisplay set on a daily, hourly, or other basis. However, the user mustmanually seek out and download the additional images using a separateweb browser program, and then manually add the new images to the imageset for use in the wallpaper program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is a system which provides a simple andconvenient method for a consumer to obtain image files for use aswallpaper or screen saver images on a personal computer (“PC”) desktop,or similar environments, such as a Web TV® display, terminal display, orthe like. While the invention will be primarily described in theenvironment of a wallpaper program and wallpaper images, it should beunderstood that the wallpaper program may include a screen saversubroutine, or may alternatively be a screen saver program. Further, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the images andclickable icons downloaded or otherwise used with or as part of theinvention may be used as wallpaper or screen saver images, or both.

The system of the invention includes at least one consumer PC having avisual display and communication access to the Internet, although, it isenvisioned that thousands or millions of consumers having consumer PC'smay eventually use the invention in the manner described for the atleast one consumer PC. A wallpaper desktop program for operating on theconsumer's PC is downloaded to the consumer's PC, or otherwise loadedinto a memory in the consumer's PC. The wallpaper desktop programincludes an image management feature, and is capable of managing anddisplaying at least one wallpaper image on the visual display of theconsumer's PC. There is further provided at least one wallpaper web siteon a wallpaper web site server for providing access to at least onewallpaper image file stored on an image server in communication with theInternet. A main program is also included and is stored on anapplication server in communication with the Internet. The main programreceives communications from the wallpaper web site and providescommunications to the wallpaper web site. The application server may bethe same server as the wallpaper web site server and the image server,or a different server in communication with the other servers throughthe Internet, a local network, or similar communication network.

The main program controls the overall wallpaper system, includingdownloading of wallpaper images to the consumer PC and the initialdownloading of the wallpaper desktop program, if necessary, through theuse of a download program or subroutine. The main program also keepstrack of consumers who access the wallpaper web site, and can implantcookie files into the memory of the consumer's PC for monitoring theconsumer's interests, web sites visited by the consumer, or the like.The main program also controls a consumer preference database which canstore and monitor consumer information and consumer preferences onparticular subjects, as provided by the consumer, or as derived fromcookie files. The main program further oversees the storage anddistribution of image files for use as wallpaper images, and maintains awallpaper image database which is accessed by the consumer through thewallpaper web site for downloading particular images to the consumer'sPC. The main program may also control an interactive marketing featureof the invention whereby sponsors who are interested in advertising toconsumers have their company logo, advertisement, icon, multimediapresentation, or the like, downloaded with a wallpaper image file anddisplayed with the image on the consumer's desktop.

In using the system of the invention, the consumer accesses thewallpaper web site using his or her web browser, and identifies one ormore desired wallpaper images. The images may be identified simply byselecting one or more available images displayed by the wallpaper website, or a more elaborate search system may be in place. Under thesearch system option, the consumer enters a search criteria and the mainprogram conducts a search of the image file database to locate imageswhich meet the specified criteria. The web site then displays one ormore images which have been identified as meeting the search criteria.Prior to downloading one or more selected image files to the consumer,the consumer may be required to fill out a consumer preference form atthe wallpaper web site in which the consumer provides personalinformation about himself or herself which may be useful to marketers ofgoods or services (i.e., sponsors). When the requested information hasbeen provided by the consumer, the wallpaper image file or files aredownloaded to the consumer's PC along with the wallpaper desktop programwhich manages and displays the wallpaper images on the desktop of theconsumer's PC.

New image files can be periodically added to the wallpaper web siteimage file database. The main application program may periodically checkthe image database for additional wallpaper images which are desirableto the consumer. The main program may select new images based upon thetype of image files previously downloaded by the consumer, or may selectthe images based upon the specific search criteria designated by theconsumer as being of interest. Also, the new images may be image filesor advertisements for products which the consumer has expressed aninterest in purchasing. When such new image files are identified by themain program, a notice may be delivered to the consumer. The noticetells the consumer that one or more new image files are available, andprovides a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) link for the consumer to clickon to access a location on the Internet where the new image(s) may beviewed. The consumer is then able to download the new image file orfiles, and add them to those already stored in memory for use aswallpaper on the consumer's PC. The notice may be delivered in a numberof ways, including: (1) the notice may be e-mailed directly to theconsumer; (2) the notice may be delivered to the consumer the next timethe consumer accesses the Internet by loading a clickable button, icon,banner, or the like over the wallpaper on the consumer's desktop throughthe use of a cookie file; or, (3) if the consumer has a personalized“front page” associated with an Internet host, such as the Excite® orYahoo® front page, a notice may be placed on the consumer's personalizedfront page.

In another aspect, the above-described wallpaper system may be utilizedas part of an interactive marketing, sales, and purchasing tool. Forexample, one or more sponsors interested in advertising to consumers areidentified to the wallpaper main program. The sponsor optionallyspecifies one or more particular desirable marketing traits, such asage, income, hobbies, geographical location, interests, etc. Theconsumer preference database containing the consumer's personalinformation which was supplied when selecting the wallpaper images isthen searched to locate any consumers which match the desired traits.Or, similarly, when a consumer fills out the consumer preference form,the consumer may be identified as matching the particular sponsor'sdesired trait. Once a match is made, the sponsor's clickable icon, logo,advertisement, or the like, may be included with the wallpaper imagefiles downloaded to the consumer.

The clickable icon is preferably an embedded or overlaid object file,such as an Active X control, Java Applet, or other suitable application.When the clickable icon is clicked-on using a mouse, or otherwiseactivated by the consumer, such as by using the computer keyboard, asignal is sent to the wallpaper desktop program which causes the programto connect the consumer's PC to a predetermined site on the Internet.The predetermined site is preferably a URL address associated with theclickable icon file. The clickable icon file may be downloaded alongwith the wallpaper image and overlaid on the image by the wallpaperdesktop program present on the consumer's PC. Alternatively, theclickable icon may be embedded in the image prior to downloading. Stillalternatively, the clickable icon file may be pre-loaded with thewallpaper desktop program. The clickable icon may be animated, and mayflash, move, or otherwise be animated to attract attention of the userof the consumer's PC.

Once the wallpaper images are in place on the consumer's PC, asdescribed above, the clickable icons are displayed either temporarily orpermanently with the wallpaper images. The consumer may click on aclickable icon to access a predetermined location on the Internet, suchas the sponsor's web site. The wallpaper desktop program automaticallyconnects the consumer to the Internet, and goes directly to thesponsor's web site. Once this has occurred, the clickable icon may ormay not continue to be displayed with the wallpaper image, and thesponsor may be sent a bill for the marketing service in accordance withthe number of site visits resulting from the service. Alternatively, thesponsor may pay a predetermined fee set in accordance with receiving theservice for a specified period of time, or the like. Thus, under a basicaspect, the invention is directed to a system whereby a wallpaper orscreen saver image in displayed on the consumer's PC, and the image hasa clickable icon located on a portion thereof, the icon cannot generallybe removed by the consumer, and when clicked-on by the consumer, theicon activates a program which automatically connects the consumer PC toa web site associated with the icon, such as a sponsor's or advertiser'sweb site.

In an additional aspect, the invention may include a proactive shoppingsystem wherein the consumer indicates that he or she is interested inpurchasing a particular product. This information may be in response toa prompt, such a questionnaire or consumer preferences form,periodically displayed on the consumer's PC by the wallpaper desktopprogram or the cookie file. A shopping program, associated with the mainprogram server or a subroutine of the main program, receives thisinformation and seeks out the particular product on the Internet.Alternatively, an employee of the wallpaper service operator may receivethe information and seek out suitable products on behalf of theconsumer. The consumer may then be presented with a notice, as describedabove, which provides a URL link to the Internet site where the productmay be purchased. Alternatively, the wallpaper main program may downloadan image or advertisement of the product to the consumer's PC, and thewallpaper desktop program will load that image onto the consumer'sdesktop as a wallpaper or screen saver image. The image may include aclickable icon, button, or other provision for enabling the consumer topurchase the product. Clicking the button either connects the consumerto a predetermined location on the Internet for purchasing the product,or otherwise causes the consumer's purchase information and desire topurchase the product to be transferred to the product supplier so thatthe product supplier may send the product to the consumer and charge theconsumer for the product.

Under a related aspect of the invention, a number of web sites on theInternet may become affiliated with the wallpaper web site, thewallpaper main application server, and the wallpaper system operator.These sites may then become “one-click compatible” with consumers whosubscribe to the wallpaper web site. Thus, consumers may purchaseproducts or services from affiliated sites by merely clicking on one ormore buttons at the affiliated sites. The consumer's mailing address,credit card information, and other necessary information is thenautomatically transferred to the affiliated site by the main program,without the necessity of the consumer filling out additional addressforms, credit card numbers, or the like.

In yet another aspect, the system and method of the present inventioncan also be used to enable consumers to purchase a hard copy of awallpaper/screen saver image, such as a poster, print, painting, orother product having the image thereon. As described above, thewallpaper desktop program is loaded into the memory on the consumer's PCeither by the main program downloading the wallpaper desktop program tothe consumer's PC over the Internet, or by pre-loading the wallpaperdesktop program to the consumer's PC from a floppy disk, cd-rom, or thelike, either before purchase, or subsequently. The wallpaper desktopprogram can display one or more wallpaper images on the visual displayconnected to the consumer's PC. The wallpaper desktop program can alsonotify the consumer that one or more wallpaper images may be obtainedfrom the wallpaper web site. When the consumer accesses the wallpaperweb site through the Internet, the wallpaper web site displays availablewallpaper images. One or more wallpaper images are selected by theconsumer at the wallpaper web site, as described above, and downloadedto the memory in the consumer's PC by the main program. The wallpaperdesktop program receives the new images with its image-managing feature,and displays the wallpaper images on the consumer's visual display. Atleast one clickable icon file is downloaded with the wallpaper images,and the wallpaper desktop program also displays the clickable icon whenthe wallpaper image is displayed. When displayed, the clickable icon mayinclude text which prompts the consumer to purchase a hard copy of theimage. The clickable icon, when clicked-on by the consumer using amouse, causes the wallpaper desktop program to activate the consumer'sweb browser program and modem dialer for connecting the consumer's PC tothe consumer's Internet service provider. The wallpaper desktop programplaces a predetermined URL address associated with the clickable icon inthe address bar of the web browser, and the web browser connects theconsumer's PC to the web site at that URL. At the web site, the consumeris given the option of purchasing a print, poster, painting, or thelike, of the wallpaper image. Optionally, if the consumer's purchaseinformation is pre-registered, the consumers desire to purchase theimage hard copy may be merely communicated to the web site rather thanrequiring the consumer to fill out a form at the web site. Alsooptionally, the purchase information may be stored in the consumer's PCand communicated the next time the consumer is on-line, rather thanconnecting the consumer immediately. A notification that the consumer'sorder has been placed may be communicated to consumer when the event hasoccurred.

Consequently, the present invention provides a convenient method forconsumers to obtain desired wallpaper images according to theirinterests and personal taste. The present invention also provides ameans for consumers to conveniently purchase posters, prints, or thelike, of desirable images. The present invention further provides amethod for sponsors desiring a desktop presence to reach consumershaving specific traits believed to be beneficial for particularmarketing strategies. Additionally, the present invention providesefficient and unique marketing, purchasing, and sales methods whichincrease the convenience to both buyers and sellers of good andservices. Thus, the present invention effectively combines a productdesirable to consumers with an integrated direct marketing feature.Accordingly, it will be apparent that the present invention provides asubstantial advance in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully appreciated by a considerationof the following detailed description which should be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, the presentinvention is illustrated by way of example and not limited by thefigures of the accompanying drawings within which like reference numbersindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall system components of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the consumer's PC and visual display having awallpaper image and clickable icon displayed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart which sets forth the function of thebasic wallpaper system of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart which sets forth an optional marketingportion of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart which sets forth additional optionalaspects of the marketing method of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is directed to an interactive system and method forproviding wallpaper images for a computer desktop of a personalcomputer. Wallpaper/screen saver images may be conveniently located by aconsumer and downloaded for use on the desktop of the consumer's PC.This feature of the invention is described below under the “BasicWallpaper System Operation” section. Furthemore, sponsors may markettheir goods or services to the consumers by paying a fee to have theiricons or advertisements incorporated into or overlaid on thewallpaper/screen saver images. By clicking on the icons oradvertisements, the consumer is automatically connected to apredetermined location on the Internet, such as the sponsor's web site.In addition, a number of web sites may be affiliated with the wallpaperweb site, and consumers who subscribe to the wallpaper web site may beable to conveniently purchase products or services from these affiliatedsites by merely clicking on one or more pop-up buttons, or the like,once necessary consumer information has been given to the wallpaper website. These additional features of the invention are described belowunder the “Marketing Option” section.

System Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall system configuration 10 of the invention,including various optional features. Under the invention, at least oneconsumer has at least one consumer's PC 12 which includes a memory 13,such as a hard drive, a modem 14, a mouse 15, and a visual display 40,such as a monitor. Consumer's PC 12 is able to communicate with theInternet 16 via an Internet service provider (“ISP”), or the like,through modem 14 using telephone lines, cable lines, or othertelecommunications means. A typical ISP has at least one ISP server 18and an ISP e-mail server 46 for acting as a communications interfacebetween the consumer and the rest of the Internet 16. Thus, by forming atelecommunication connection between consumer's PC 12 and ISP server 18,the consumer is able to access and communicate with the Internet 16. Aweb browser software program 17, such as Microsoft's® InternetExplorer®, Netscape® Navigator®, or the like, may then be used to accessvarious hypertext markup language (“HTML”) web sites, using a hypertexttransfer protocol (“HTTP”) from ISP web server 18. Browsing usuallyincorporates the use of Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) addresses or“links” loaded into browser 17. In general practice, URL addresses maybe entered manually into the browser's address bar by the consumer, ormay be obtained by using a search engine, or by other means. URLaddresses generally indicate location identifiers between the variousservers and computers that make up the Internet 16.

Under the system of the invention, a wallpaper system communicationnetwork 30 is also provided, and includes at least one wallpaper website 20 located on a web site server 22, or a similar accessibleInternet access site. Wallpaper web site 20 may be accessed by theconsumer through ISP server 18 communicating with web site server 22.Wallpaper web site server 22 is in communication with the rest ofwallpaper system communication network 30 which, under the presentinvention, may include at least one, but typically a plurality, ofcomputers and databases able to communicate with each other tofacilitate functioning of the invention. Thus, information entered bythe consumer at wallpaper web site 20 may be gathered and processedusing a main system program 32 loaded on a main application server 33.This main server 33 may, of course, be the same server as web siteserver 22, or a separate server in communication with web site server22. Main program 32 oversees functioning of all components of thesystem, and coordinates between wallpaper web site 20 and the othercomponents.

Web site server 22 is also in communication with a wallpaper imagedatabase 29. Wallpaper image database 29 may be retained in the memoryof web site server 22, or may be retained on a separate image server 31.A plurality of wallpaper image files 24 are contained in wallpaper imagedatabase 29. The image files 24 used as wallpaper images may be jpeg,bitmap, gif, or other suitable image formats. Typically, such imagefiles 24 are created from photographs, original artwork, prints, or thelike, using a scanner 28 and a software application, such as AdobePhotoshop®, and then are stored on a hard disk drive for use aswallpaper images. Other image files, such as files created by computergraphic techniques, files already digitally encoded, images from digitalcameras, and the like, can also be used to create suitable image files24. Image files 24 may be categorized according to content, and, in thismanner, a large image database 29 of image files 24 suitable for use aswallpaper images may be created.

An application software program (the “wallpaper desktop program 26”)which controls and displays the wallpaper images on the consumer's PCdesktop is also included with the system of the invention. Wallpaperdesktop program 26 may be downloaded by the consumer from web site 20,may come pre-loaded on consumer's PC 12, or may be loaded into memory 13of consumer's PC 12 from a floppy disk, CD-ROM, or the like. Ifwallpaper desktop program 26 is to be downloaded by the consumer, thiscan be accomplished when the consumer accesses wallpaper web site 20 andchooses one or more images files 24 for downloading from wallpaper website 20. A conventional subroutine at web site server 22 may perform thedownloading function, or a separate download server 38 may be used.

As also illustrated in FIG. 2, wallpaper desktop program 26, once loadedon consumer's PC 12, activates (i.e., begins operation) when theconsumer turns on consumer's PC 12. At least one image file 24 wouldnormally be supplied with program 26 when it is loaded onto consumer'sPC 12. Upon start up, wallpaper desktop program 26 displays an imagefile 24 as a wallpaper image 25 on visual display 40 of consumer's PC 12via a standard graphics adapter, or the like. It may be seen thatwallpaper image 25 is displayed in the background, and does not obscurethe other standard icons 43, tool bars, etc., already present on thecomputer desktop. If program 26 was pre-loaded on consumer's PC 12, thenupon start up for the first time, or at predetermined intervals, theconsumer may be prompted to go to wallpaper web site 20 to download newor additional wallpaper images files 24. The prompt may be in the formof a clickable banner, button, or icon which, when clicked upon, causesprogram 26 to automatically access browser 17 and connect consumer's PC12 to wallpaper web site 20.

At least one clickable icon file 48 is provided with program 26 or imagefile 24, and is also displayed by wallpaper desktop program 26 on visualdisplay 40 as a clickable icon 49 overlying or embedded in image 25. Aswill be described in greater detail below, clickable icon 49 may beclicked-on by the consumer using mouse 15 and cursor 37, or otherwiseactivated by the consumer, such as by using a keyboard 23 connected toconsumer's PC 12. Clicking on clickable icon 49 may automaticallyconnect the consumer to a site for purchasing a hard copy of the image,or may automatically connect the consumer to a sponsor's or advertiser'sweb site 50. Clickable icons 49 accordingly serve an important role inthe marketing feature of the invention.

Wallpaper desktop program 26 also includes an image management featurewhereby additional image files 24 can be added to the image files 24already contained in an image collection 27 on consumer's PC 12. Abrowse feature is provided with wallpaper desktop program 26, and may beused to locate other image files stored in memory 13 of consumer's PC12. For example, family photographs or other images may added to theconsumer's image collection 27, or the consumer may download image filesfrom other locations on the Internet 16 and add them to image collection27. Also, wallpaper desktop program 26 may include an auto-minimizefeature similar to a screen saver whereby when other applications areleft open and unused for a period of time, wallpaper desktop program 26will, after a predetermined time, minimize those programs so thatwallpaper image 25 and clickable icons 49 are visible. Also, clickableicon 49 may be placed in motion and moved across visual display 40 bywallpaper desktop program 26 to various locations on the screen toattract notice. Furthermore, as discussed above, a screen saver programmay be incorporated into wallpaper desktop program 26, and a clickableicon 49 may be incorporated into the screen saver image(s) as well.

Under the basic wallpaper downloading and purchasing function of thesystem of the invention, clickable icon 49 may include a visible textmessage, such as “click here to purchase a print of this image”. If theconsumer desires to purchase a hard copy of an image 25, such as aprint, poster, painting, or the like, the consumer clicks on clickableicon 49. As is known in the art, the operating system keeps track of thelocation of mouse cursor 37 on display 40 relative to the location oficon 49, and if mouse 15 is clicked when the respective locationsoverlap, a signal is delivered to activate wallpaper program 26 which,in turn, starts a sequence of commands to connect consumer's PC 12 to aparticular URL address on the Internet. The URL address may be that ofwallpaper web site 20, or may be a different site where the consumer isgiven information, an order form, or the like, regarding purchasing of aprint, poster, etc. of the image 25. Alternatively, if clickable icon 49is that of a sponsor or advertiser, the consumer is connected to asponsor's web site where information about the sponsor or sponsor'sproducts is displayed to the consumer. Additional functions of wallpaperdesktop program 26 and how it interacts with main program 32 will bedescribed below in the Basic Wallpaper System Operation and theMarketing Option Sections.

Main program 32 is a server-side Java or other suitable applicationprogram, and controls the functioning of the overall wallpaper system10. Main program oversees downloading of wallpaper image files 24 toconsumer's PC 12 and the initial downloading of wallpaper desktopprogram 26, if necessary, through the use of a download program orsubroutine. Main program 32 also keeps track of consumers who accesswallpaper web site 20, and can implant one or more cookie files 59 intoconsumer's PC 12 for monitoring the consumer's interests, web sitesvisited by the consumer, or the like. Main program 32 also controls aconsumer preference database 36 which can store and monitor consumerpreference data files 34 which contain consumer information and consumerpreferences on particular subjects, as provided by the consumer, or asderived from cookie file(s) 59. Main program 32 further oversees thestorage and distribution of image files 24 for use as wallpaper images,and maintains the wallpaper image database 29 which is accessed by theconsumer for downloading particular image files 24 to consumer's PC 12.Main program 32 may also control an interactive marketing feature of theinvention whereby sponsors who are interested in advertising toconsumers have their company logo, advertisement, icon, multimediapresentation, or the like, downloaded with a wallpaper image anddisplayed with image 25 on the consumer's desktop as a clickable icon49. Additional features and functions of main program 32 will bedescribed below in the Basic Wallpaper System Operation and theMarketing Option Sections of the disclosure.

Basic Wallpaper System Operation

The consumer may learn of the availability for downloading of wallpaperimage files 24 through advertisements, Internet search engines, orInternet browsing. Alternatively, consumer's PC 12 may come pre-loadedwith desktop program 26 when purchased, and, upon activation ofconsumer's PC 12, a notice of the availability of wallpaper image files24 is presented to the consumer. If wallpaper desktop program 26 is notpre-loaded on consumer's PC 12, it can be downloaded to consumer's PC 12along with one or more image files 24 the first time that the consumerdownloads image files 24 from wallpaper web site 20. Accordingly, theconsumer uses browser 17 to accesses wallpaper web site 20 to view imagefiles 24 to use as wallpaper on their computer desktops. This step isillustrated as step 110 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3.

After accessing the wallpaper web site 20, the consumer selects one ormore of the image files 24 presented. Image files 24 may be presentedfrom a predetermined set of images, and the consumer may choose fromthese images. Optionally, the web site 20 may prompt the consumer toenter a search criteria, such as keywords, into a search field spacedisplayed on a web page at Web site 20 (step 112). The image database 29is then searched for image files 24 which match the consumer's criteria.For example, if a consumer is interested in horses, he or she may enterthe keyword “horses” in order to locate images containing horses. Thesearch criteria is interpreted into SQL commands through a CGI scriptapplication on the web site server 22. The SQL commands are then used bythe image database 29 to identify wallpaper image files 24 that matchthe search criteria (step 114). The CGI script may be written in asoftware scripting language, such as JavaScript®, or VB Script. Theimage database 29 may be a relational database management system, suchas Oracle 7 or Microsoft® SQL Server 7. The image database 29 locatesone or more wallpaper image files 24 which match the search criteria,and presents the image files 24 to the consumer at the wallpaper website 20 (step 118). By clicking with a mouse on either the resultingimages or URL's, the consumer can view and mark for downloading any oneor more of the located image files 24 (step 120). If the consumer doesnot locate any desired images, or would like to locate additionalimages, the consumer may conduct additional searching until a desirednumber of image files 24 have been marked for downloading.Alternatively, if the search criteria option is not implemented, steps112 and 114 are skipped, and the consumer selects one or more imagesfrom the image files 24 presented (steps 118, 120).

Once the consumer has selected one or more desired image files 24, theconsumer indicates that he or she is finished and ready to download theselected image files 24 (step 124). However, as an option, prior tobeing allowed to download the selected image files, the consumer isprompted via an HTML web page at web site 20 to submit consumerpreference data 34, such as name, residential address, e-mail address,key dates (such as family birthdays, anniversaries, etc.), buyinghabits, hobbies, and any desired additional information deemed usefulfor marketing purposes (step 126). A consumer preference form 35 ispresented to the consumer and has standard lines to be filled out. Aversion of this form 35 may also be downloaded to the consumer's desktopwith desktop program 26 for filling out offline by the consumer. Also,as will be described below, preference form 35 may inquire as toadditional information that may be of particular use for marketing andpurchasing of products. Response to some or all of the informationqueries may be mandatory. (i.e., credit card numbers, mailing addresses,etc.) before the consumer is able to download the selected image files24, or be compatible to shop at affiliate sites, as will be describedbelow.

A CGI script on web site server 22 enters the consumer preference data34 into a consumer preference database 36. If applicable, the mostrecent consumer search criteria (e.g., “horses”) may be entered as well.Once the consumer preference data form has been completed (step 128),the selected image files 24 may be downloaded to the consumer's personalcomputer 12. If necessary, desktop software program 26 is alsodownloaded with images files 24 from a download program server 38 via anHTTP connection, a file transfer protocol (“FTP”) connection, or othersuitable connection (step 130). After the consumer installs wallpaperdesktop program 26, desktop program 26 will display the downloadedimages as wallpaper on the consumer's PC 12. Wallpaper desktop program26 may be installed by the consumer by using the computer mouse 15 toclick on an icon (not shown) that is displayed on the consumer's PCdesktop (step 132), and by then following installation instructions. Thedesktop program 26 may be written in Java, C++, or other suitableformats, and, once the program is activated by the consumer, desktopprogram 26 installs itself on the consumer's PC 12 and initiates thedisplay of the selected wallpaper image files 24 as wallpaper images 25(step 134).

Also, one or more cookie files 59 may be downloaded with wallpaperdesktop program 26 or at other times when the consumer accesseswallpaper web site 20. A cookie file 59 may perform a number offunctions, as will be described in greater detail below. One particularfunction which cookie file 59 may serve is to track the consumer'smovements when logged on to the Internet. Thus, cookie file 59 may keepa record of each site which a consumer visits, and then communicate thisinformation to consumer preference database 36, through main program 32.This enables the information recently gathered by cookie file 59 to beadded to the existing consumer preference data 34. This information maythen serve as an alternate or additional means for determining whichwallpaper images may be of interest to a particular consumer. The cookiefile information may also be used with the marketing features of theinvention, as set forth below.

In addition, information from cookie file 59 may be used to askquestions of the consumer. For example, a record of past downloads maybe used to ask if the consumer is interested in buying items advertisedat sites the consumer has visited, or ask whether the consumer isinterested in new image files 24 for use as wallpaper, or the like.Preferably, a different set of questions would be asked of the consumereach time. Also, if the consumer deletes cookie file 59, the consumer'se-mail address may be matched to the consumer preference data 34 andcookie file 59 may be reinstated at the point at which it was deleted.

Wallpaper desktop program 26 may also include a variety of conventionalfeatures. For example, wallpaper desktop program 26 may allow theconsumer to select a plurality of the downloaded wallpaper image files24 to be displayed sequentially as wallpaper images 25 on visual display40 Image files 24 may be cycled on an hourly, daily, or otheruser-specified basis. Desktop program 26 is configured to start runningupon startup of the consumer's operating system and displays thewallpaper image files 24 as configured. The program is also able toaccommodate the addition of new image files 24 to the image filecollection 27 already in use on the consumer's PC.

In addition to overseeing the downloading of the initial image files 24,wallpaper system main program 32 also has the capability of notifyingthe consumer that new or additional image files 24 are available. Thismay be done on a regular periodic basis, or may be done as new imagefiles 24 which match the consumer's search criteria are added to imagedatabase 29. For example, main program 32 may send a notice to theconsumer that one or more selected new wallpaper image files 24 areavailable to be downloaded. The image files 24 selected by main program32 may be based upon the types of images previously downloaded by theconsumer. For example, if the consumer had previously downloaded imagesof paintings by French impressionists, main program 32 may periodicallycheck for image files 24 of other French impressionist paintings (step136). When a suitable image file 24 is located (step 138), a notice of anew image may be sent to the consumer (step 140). In addition,information gathered by cookie file 59 regarding the sites on theInternet 16 visited by the consumer may also be used to determine whichimage files 24 may be of interest to a consumer. Additionally oralternatively, notices of new image files 24 may be sent to the consumeron a regular basis, such as one or more new image files 24 per week. Inthis manner, the consumer's wallpaper/screen saver image collection 27may be constantly changed or updated.

Still alternatively, if the consumer search criteria option was used(steps 112, 114), as new image files 24 are added to the wallpaper imagedatabase 29, main program 32 on application server 33 keeps track of theimage file updates and continually checks consumer preference database34 for a match based upon the consumer's previously entered searchcriteria (step 136). As matches are found (step 138), a notice that oneor more new image files 24 are available for downloading may bedelivered to the consumer (step 140). The notice tells the consumer thatone or more new image files 24 are available, and provides a URL linkfor the consumer to click on to access a location on the Internet 16where the new image file 24 may be viewed. The consumer is then able todownload the new image files 24, and add them to those image files 24already being displayed as wallpaper on consumer's PC 12.

The notice of new image files 24 may be delivered in a number of ways,such as through an e-mail message. For example, the notice may bee-mailed directly to the consumer via e-mail server 46 using theconventional SMTP protocol. The e-mail message contains a URL link forthe location of the new image file. The e-mail message is read by theconsumer using an e-mail application on the consumer's PC 12, such asMicrosoft Exchange. By clicking on the URL link contained in the notice,the consumer is automatically connected to the site on the Internet 16which contains the new image file(s) 24 (step 142). If the consumerwants to add the new image file(s) 24 to his or her wallpaper, theconsumer downloads the new image file(s) 24 via HTTP, FTP, or the like(step 144), as described above with respect to the initial download ofimages. Any updates to desktop program 26 may also be downloaded at thistime by download program server 38 or main program 32 via HTTP, FTP orthe like. The consumer runs desktop program 26 to add the new imagefile(s) 24 to the existing wallpaper/screen saver sequence, or, ofcourse, the new image file(s) 24 may replace one or more of the existingwallpaper image files 24 the consumer has been using.

As an alternative to the use of e-mail to deliver the notice, the noticemay be delivered to the consumer the next time the consumer accesses theInternet 16 by loading a clickable icon 49 or button on the wallpaper onthe consumer's desktop through the use of cookie file 59. Clickable iconfile 48 contains a reference address to the URL link for the new imagefile(s) 24. By clicking on clickable icon 49, consumer's PC 12 isconnected to the site on the Internet 16 which contains the new imagefile(s) 24, and new image file(s) 24 may be viewed and downloaded asdescribed above. A pop-up window, or other device on the consumer's webbrowser, such as Frames technology, could also serve the same purpose asbutton or clickable icon 49.

Still alternatively, if the consumer has a personalized “front page”associated with an Internet host, such as the Excite® or Yahoo® frontpage, a notice may be placed on the consumer's personalized front page.The notice may be in the form of a button, icon, banner, text link,window, or other device that appears on the front page when the consumerlogs on the Internet 16. As above, the button contains the URL link forthe new image file(s) 24, and the consumer is connected to the sitecontaining the image file(s) 24 by clicking on the button, icon, etc.

Accordingly, the Wallpaper portion of the present invention provides anovel method and system for supplying desirable wallpaper images toconsumers. Consumers are able to obtain wallpaper images in accordancewith their personal tastes and interests in a convenient andadvantageous fashion. Consumers are additionally provided with an optionto conveniently purchase a hard copy of an image. The consumers may alsobe charged a fee for wallpaper image files 24, but alternatively,sponsors may pay a fee to have advertisements, clickable icons, or thelike, included with wallpaper image files 24 downloaded by theconsumers. This additional feature of the invention is described belowin the “Marketing Option” portion of the disclosure.

Marketing Option

The custom wallpaper system described above may be modified to include amarketing or advertising aspect for marketing goods or services toconsumers, whereby sponsors will pay a fee to the wallpaper systemoperator. In return, the sponsor's company logo, icon, or anadvertisement will be embedded in, or overlaid onto, wallpaper images 25as a clickable icon 49. Clickable icon 49 may include a logo, icon,advertisement, banner, window, or the like, present on display 40,which, when clicked on using mouse 15, or otherwise activated by theconsumer, sends a signal to wallpaper desktop program 26 to connectconsumer's PC 12 to a predetermined location on the Internet 16.Clickable icon files 48 may be transmitted to the consumer withwallpaper image files 24, or may be loaded onto the background of theconsumer's PC by downloading a clickable icon file 48 to wallpaperdesktop program 26 when the consumer is on the Internet 16, or the nexttime the consumer logs on to the Internet and cookie file 59 signalssuch to main program 32. Clickable icons or advertisements 49 includeURL address links for automatically connecting consumer's PC 12 to apredetermined location on the Internet, such as to sponsor's web site50. Optionally, clickable icon files 48 may be included only with imagefiles 24 sent to certain consumers, based upon the consumer preferencedata 34 which the consumer provided in step 126 of the flowchart of FIG.3. Thus, the invention also enables sponsors, at their discretion, toidentify particular consumers who are more likely to be interested inthe sponsor's goods or services.

As illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 4, using sponsor PC 52, thesponsor's orders are sent to the Main Program Application Server 33 andentered (step 210). Each order contains a rate, URL address of the link,the start and finish dates, target consumer preferences (if this optionis desired), a static or animated clickable icon file 48, and billinginformation. A sponsor application program 54 on the main programapplication server 33 is a client-server application which may bewritten in Java or other suitable programing language and is incommunication with main program 32. A subroutine of main program 32enters the sponsor's order data into a sponsor database via a JDBCinterface or the like. The client-side application is a graphical userinterface for entering, viewing, and checking the data.

If only those consumers having one or more particular favorable traitsare desired by the sponsor, a comparison program 58 or subroutine onmain program application server 33 compares sponsor order data in thesponsor database 56 with consumer preference data 34 from the consumerpreference database 36 (step 212). Any matches between a particularconsumer preference trait and a trait desired by the sponsor are notedby comparison program 58 (step 214). Comparison program 58 may be runeach time one or more image files 24 are to be downloaded to a consumer.Thus, a matching trait may be noted the first time a consumer fills outconsumer preference form 35, or may be noted some time later whennotices of new image files 24 are to be e-mailed to the consumer.

Accordingly, a clickable icon 49 may be embedded or overlaid on images25 of the first image files 24 downloaded to the consumer, may beembedded or overlaid in subsequently downloaded new image files 24, orboth. Of course, a sponsor may desire instead to have its clickable icon49 included in all images files 24 downloaded to all consumers, forexample, over a designated period of time or the like, without referenceto particular consumer traits. Alternatively, main program 32 may keeptrack of the image files 24 downloaded by consumers, and may matchsponsors to consumers based upon the type of images downloaded. Stillalternatively, sponsors may be matched to consumers based upon sites theconsumer visits on the Internet 16, by tracking the consumer's movementswith cookie file 59. Also, as will be described in more detail below,sponsors may be matched to consumers based upon a consumers expressionof a desire to purchase a particular product.

Accordingly, whether or not optional steps 212 and 214 are included,once a sponsor's order has been received and processed, then, whenconsumers download wallpaper image files 24 (either first time, or newimage files), clickable icon 49 with a URL link is embedded or overlaidon one or more displayed images 25 (step 216). Thus, when wallpaperimage files 24 are displayed on the consumer PC 12 desktop by wallpaperdesktop program 26, the wallpaper image 25 includes clickable icon oradvertisement 49 visible on a portion of the image (step 218).

Clickable icon files 48 are embedded or overlaid objects managed bywallpaper desktop program 26. Icons 49 may be static or animated, andmay be displayed temporarily or permanently. A particular clickable icon49 may be alternated with other clickable icons 49 and URL links,thereby rotating between multiple sponsors. Also, a combination of bothembedded icons 49 and overlaid icons 49 may be used with a single image.For example, a primary sponsor's icon 49 may be embedded in a particularimage 25, and a secondary sponsors's icon 49 may be overlaid on anotherportion of the image. In this manner, the secondary sponsor's icon 49may be changed on a daily, weekly, monthly, or other basis, while theprimary sponsor's icon 49 remains embedded in image or images 25. In anembedded clickable icon file 48, the file code is part of the code of aparticular image file 24, and thus, an embedded clickable icon 49 loadswith the image file 24 in which it is embedded. In an overlaid clickableicon file 48, on the other hand, the file code is separate from the codeof any particular image file 24, and an overlaid clickable icon 49 isdisplayed by wallpaper program 26 independently of any particularwallpaper image 25.

Clickable icon files 48 may be Active X controls, Java Applets, or othersuitable applications that may have start and end times, or othercontrol parameters built in, as well as their animation characteristicsand URL links. Also, icon files 48 may be downloaded to consumer's PC 12anytime the consumer connects to the Internet 16, with or without theconsumer's consent, and is displayed by wallpaper desktop program 26.For example, cookie file 59 installed on consumer's PC 12 by the website server 22 may help main program 32 to determine if a download isappropriate. Thus, it is easy to change sponsors on regular basis, withwallpaper desktop program 26 controlling the placement of clickableicons 49 on the consumer's wallpaper. Also, a sponsor may merely changethe URL address that a clickable icon 49 links to when clicked upon bydownloading a new URL address to the icon file 48. In addition,clickable icons 49 may be animated or may move about the screen toattract attention of the consumer.

When the consumer is using his or her PC 12, by clicking on thedisplayed icon 49 (step 220), the consumer is automatically connected toa predetermined location on the Internet, such as the sponsor's web site50. The predetermined location may be, for example, an HTML page at theURL address specified by the sponsor in clickable icon file 48 (step222). This connecting function is performed by the desktop program 26,which accesses the consumer's modem 14 and web browser 17 for connectingthe consumer's PC 12 to the URL address specified by the sponsor.Alternatively, or additionally, sponsors may choose to distributemultimedia files 60, such as audio and video files, rather than URLlinks and clickable icon files 48.

Once the consumer has been connected to the sponsor's web site 50, theconsumer may view advertising displays, view product or serviceinformation, purchase products or services, or the like. After thefinished data passes, the clickable icon 49 and URL object mayoptionally be deactivated or removed from the image file 24 by wallpaperdesktop program 26 (step 224). An indication of this occurrence may thenbe sent to main application server 33 by cookie file 59 or othersuitable means. Billing information is posted to a billing applicationon a billing system 62 (step 226), which sends the sponsor an invoice(step 228). Alternatively, of course, the sponsor may pay apredetermined fee for receiving the service for a specified period oftime of the like.

In a related aspect or feature, as illustrated in FIG. 3, an option maybe included in the wallpaper main program 32 (step 150) which enablesthe consumer to order a hard copy of a wallpaper image (i.e., the imageitself) in a different format, such as a painting, print, poster, or thelike. For example, if the consumer has downloaded one or more wallpaperimages of French impressionist paintings, and if the consumer desires aprint of one the images, the consumer may click on a clickable icon 49embedded or overlaid on the image (Step 152). This may open a pop-upwindow which automatically connects the consumer to a web site on theInternet 16 for purchasing a print of the image. The site may bewallpaper web site 20, or may be a separate Internet location.Alternatively, the order may be placed the next time the consumer logsonto the Internet 16. The order is directed to the print supplier (Step154) who ships the print to the address supplied by the consumer andapplies charges to the consumer's credit card. This method may beapplied to the purchase of other products as well, as will be describedin more detail below.

Under an additional feature of the invention, advertisements for thewallpaper web site 20 may be placed at a plurality of various sponsorweb sites 50. When a consumer accesses one of these sponsor web sites 50and clicks on the advertisement for wallpaper web site 20, the consumeris connected to wallpaper web site 20. Main program 32 may make a noteof this, and automatically include that particular sponsor's clickableicon 49 with any image files 24 downloaded by that particular consumer.For example, if a consumer is at sponsor A's web site 50, notices anadvertisement for wallpaper web site 20, and clicks on the advertisementto access wallpaper web site 20, sponsor A's clickable icon 49 may beautomatically included with any image files 24 downloaded to thatconsumer.

Also, optionally, an additional consumer preferences icon or button 67may be included with wallpaper desktop program 26 when downloaded to theconsumer, and this button 67 may be used by the consumer for displayingconsumer preferences form 35 offline. Button 67 may be overlaid on awallpaper image, embedded in the image, may be located on the operatingsystem tool bar, or in other suitable locations on the consumer's PCand/or desktop. When clicked-on or otherwise selected by the consumer,button 67 may present consumer preferences form 35 for filling outconsumer preference information. Consumer preferences form 35 hasstandard lines to be filled out by the consumer, and may ask for avariety of information. Thus, the consumer may fill out consumerpreferences form 35 offline in addition to, or instead of, providing theinformation online at wallpaper web site 20. Wallpaper desktop program26 and cookie file 59 can then transmit the consumer's preference data34 to main server 33 for use as detailed above, and thus, the consumer'spreference data 34 may be continually updated as the consumer changes iton form 35. The consumer is able to access form 35 at any time, reviewthe information contained therein, and update the information asnecessary. For example, if the consumer changes the credit card numberin use on form 35, this updated information is transmitted to theconsumer preference database 36 the next time the consumer logs on tothe Internet. Wallpaper desktop program 26 may also use the informationto provide reminders to the consumer for important dates, such asbirthdays or anniversaries, or may be use the information for proactivemarketing, as described below and as illustrated by the flowchart ofFIG. 5.

Furthermore, consumer preferences form 35 can be user-specific. Forexample if several different consumers all share a single consumer's PC12, then each consumer may have his or her own consumer preference form35 for maintaining separate consumer data profiles. A password accessrequirement, the use of personalized front page at log on, or the like,may be provided or used for protecting the information contained in theforms 35 and for recognizing which user is using consumer's PC 12. Thisway, each consumer may receive only the product information in whichthey are interested. Also, the desktop program 26 may recognize whichuser is using consumer's PC 12, and may display particular wallpaperimages 25, sponsor icons 49, or product information which interests thatparticular user.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 5, under a first proactivemarketing option (step 310), consumer preference data form 35 can alsoask whether the consumer is currently in the market for any particularproducts, and, if not previously supplied, request the consumer's creditcard information, home mailing address, and other information necessaryfor purchasing products (step 312). The information is then transmittedto main application server 33, as described above (step 314) andretained in consumer preference database 36. If the consumer indicateshe or she is currently shopping for a particular product (step 316),wallpaper desktop program 26 can communicate this information to mainprogram 32, either by an auto dial-up feature, or via cookie 59 the nexttime the consumer logs on to the Internet. Main program 32 will then usea shopping program 64 or subroutine to access the Internet 16 and locatethe product in which the consumer has expressed an interest (step 318).Alternatively to Shopping Program 64, a human employee of the wallpaperservice operator may perform the same shopping function as shoppingprogram 64, and employees may be employed who are experts in shoppingfor particular types of products on the Internet 16. URL links are thenprovided to the consumer in notices (step 320), as described above, forconnecting the consumer to web sites where the products the consumer isseeking are for sale. Thus, these notices may be provided by e-mail, ormay be provided the next time the consumer logs on to the Internet 16.For example, if the consumer is currently shopping for luggage, theconsumer enters this information into the appropriate location on theconsumer preference form. This information is communicated to mainprogram 32 and shopping program 64. Shopping program 64 seeks out siteson the Internet 16 which sell luggage, and sends a notice to theconsumer along with the URL links for the luggage sites located. Theconsumer can then click on the notice or link to access the product site(step 322). This can save the consumer considerable time since theconsumer will not have to manually search the Internet for products.

As an additional feature, rather than merely providing the consumer witha notice when the product is located, an image or advertisement for theproduct may be loaded directly into the consumer's desktop as awallpaper image 25, window, or the like. For example, if the consumer isseeking to purchase luggage, a wallpaper image 25 of the luggagerequested may be loaded into the consumer's desktop in same manner asdescribed above with respect to image files 24. The product image 25 maycontain product specifications, pricing, and other advertisinginformation, and, if the consumer decides to purchase the product, theconsumer may click on a portion of the image while offline to purchasethe product. This may involve clicking on a clickable icon 49 thatprovides an automatic dial-up to the Internet, and which connects theconsumer directly to the site for purchasing the product, as describedabove with respect to the purchasing of a hard copy of an image.Alternatively, a purchase order form window may come up on theconsumer's desktop for the consumer to fill out offline. Once thepurchase form is filled out offline, the order is sent by cookie file 59the next time that the consumer connects to the Internet 16. Stillalternatively, if the consumer has previously filled out consumerpreference data form 35 along with credit card information, mailingaddress, or other necessary information, then the consumer may make andconfirm a purchase order merely by clicking on one or more pop-upbuttons either on the PC desktop, or at the product web site (step 324),as will be described in more detail below. The purchase order isconveyed to the product supplier (step 326), and the product is mailedto the address specified by the consumer (step 328).

In an alternative or additional related aspect of the invention(step330), a number of affiliated sites 78 for various products may beaffiliated with the wallpaper main server 33 and the wallpaper systemoperator. These affiliated sites 78 may be “one-click compatible” withconsumers who have subscribed to wallpaper web site 20. Thus, once aconsumer fills out consumer preference form 35, the consumer canpurchase products from any number of affiliated sites 78 by simplyclicking one or more buttons at those sites 78.

For example, the consumer fills out the required information on consumerpreference form 35 (e.g., credit card information, mailing address,etc.) and this information is transmitted to consumer preferencedatabase 36. The consumer may supply this information as describedabove, either during a visit to the wallpaper web site 20, or offline onthe consumer PC 12 desktop by clicking on the consumer preference formicon 67 on the wallpaper images, the operating system tool bar, etc.Once the required consumer information is in the consumer preferencedatabase 36, and when the consumer accesses an affiliated web site 78while shopping on the Internet (step 332) (preferably by clicking inthrough the wallpaper desktop program 26, or, alternatively, by using aweb browser), then a button, window, or other notice may pop up at theaffiliated site 78 to notify the consumer that the affiliated site 78 is“one-click compatible” (step 334). This means that the consumer maypurchase products by merely clicking on the button (e.g., a “buy thisproduct” button), and does not have to fill out additional forms tosupply credit card information, mailing address, or the like, every timea purchase is made. This information is automatically transmitted to theaffiliated site 78 by wallpaper main server 33 or cookie file 59.Accordingly, by clicking on one or more buttons, the consumer maypurchase a product (step 336), the purchase information is conveyed tothe product supplier (step 326), and the product is mailed to theaddress specified by the consumer (step 328). Thus, this service is bothtime saving and convenient.

The consumer may be given the option as to whether he or she wants theone-click compatible option to be activated on the consumer's PC. Thus,if the consumer does not want this service, it may be possible to turnoff this feature. This service may be controlled using cookie program 59which tracks the consumer's travels on the Internet. Cookie file 59 cansend information to affiliated web sites 78 when the consumer visits theaffiliated web sites 78 on the Internet. Cookie file 59 retains oraccesses the consumer's information from the consumer preference form,and can transfer this information to affiliated web sites 78 as an ASCIIfile or the like. This also initiates the one-click-compatible button orwindow to pop up on the web page at the affiliated web site 78, therebynotifying the consumer that the site is one-lick compatible.

In an additional aspect, the desktop program may also include a screensaver feature. Screen savers generally erase all or a portion of ascreen to prevent damage to the monitor's cathode ray tube, or alternatethrough a series of images. The screen saver of the present inventionmay include a clickable icon 49 which starts moving over display 40 ofthe consumer's PC 12 after a predetermined time has passed, and mayprogressively blackout or refresh the screen. The icons for the screensaver may be from the same sponsors present on the wallpaper images, ormay rotate based upon predetermined parameters and may be from differentsponsors. The consumer can also select the use of wallpaper image files24 as the screen saver, whereby the screen saver displays a slide showof several or more of the wallpaper image files, and the image files mayinclude the clickable icons displayed with them. In addition, the screensaver may comprise a combination of both the wallpaper images and theanimated or moving sponsor icons.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the presentinvention sets forth a new and useful way for consumers to obtaindesirable wallpaper images for use on their computer desktops.Furthermore, the invention provides a useful marketing, sales, andpurchasing tool for sponsor's seeking to distribute their goods andservices to consumers. Thus, while preferred embodiments have beendescribed herein, it will be recognized that a variety of changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of thesubject invention.

1. A method of providing content to a consumer having a personalcomputer, said personal computer including a memory and a visualdisplay, and being able to communicate with the Internet, said methodcomprising: providing a wallpaper desktop program operational on thepersonal computer for displaying one or more wallpaper images on thevisual display; placing at least one wallpaper image file into thememory of the personal computer, wherein the wallpaper desktop programis capable of causing the personal computer to display the wallpaperimage file on the visual display as wallpaper; selecting a clickableicon file based, at least in part, on a profile of a user of thepersonal computer, wherein the clickable icon file is selected by aprogram module that runs on a server and communicates with the wallpaperdesktop program over a computer network; in response to selection of theclickable icon file by the program module, placing the clickable iconfile into the memory of the personal computer, said clickable icon filebeing capable of being displayed as a clickable icon on the visualdisplay by said wallpaper desktop program; displaying said at least onewallpaper image on the visual display; and displaying said clickableicon with said wallpaper image, said clickable icon being persistentlydisplayed on a desktop of the personal computer within the wallpaperimage and being capable of being activated by the consumer, whereby, ifsaid clickable icon is activated by the consumer, said wallpaper desktopprogram causes the personal computer to access a predetermined URL. 2.The method of claim 1 further including the step of embedding theclickable icon in said wallpaper image by combining said clickable iconfile with said image file prior to placing said image file and saidclickable icon file into the memory.
 3. The method of claim 1 furtherincluding the step of changing the predetermined URL by downloading anew URL and associating the new URL with the clickable icon file.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further including the step of providing a wallpaperweb site through which the consumer may view said at least one wallpaperimage prior to placing said wallpaper image file into the memory.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further including the step providing a sponsor, saidsponsor having a web site, said predetermined URL address connectingsaid personal computer to said sponsor's web site for advertising goodsor services to the consumer.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stepof selecting a clickable icon file comprises selecting the clickableicon file based at least in part on wallpaper preference data of theuser.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting aclickable icon file comprises selecting the clickable icon file based atleast in part on a wallpaper image download history of the user.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a clickable icon filecomprises selecting the clickable icon file based at least in part onwallpaper search criteria specified by the user.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the step of selecting a clickable icon file comprisesselecting the clickable icon file based at least in part on preferencedata entered by the user into a form of a web site that provides accessto a database of downloadable wallpaper images.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the wallpaper desktop program includes a screen saver featurethat moves the clickable icon across the visual display of the computerto refresh at least a portion of the visual display.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the URL is a URL of a web site on the Internet.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the URL is a URL of a web site on theInternet that provides an option for the consumer to purchase an itemassociated with the wallpaper image.
 13. A method for delivering contentto a consumer having a personal computer, said personal computer havinga memory and a visual display, said personal computer being able tocommunicate with the Internet, said method comprising: providing awallpaper desktop program operational on the personal computer fordisplaying one or more wallpaper images on the visual display; placing awallpaper image file in the memory of the personal computer, saidwallpaper image file being capable of being displayed as a wallpaperimage on the visual display by said wallpaper desktop program; selectinga clickable icon file based in part, on a profile of a user of thepersonal computer, wherein the clickable icon file is selected by aprogram module that runs on a server and communicates with the wallpaperdesktop program over a computer network; in response to selection of theclickable icon file by the program module, placing the clickable iconfile into the memory of the personal computer, said clickable icon filebeing capable of being displayed as a clickable icon on the visualdisplay by said wallpaper desktop program; displaying said wallpaperimage on the visual display; and displaying said clickable icon withsaid wallpaper image, said clickable icon being persistently displayedon a desktop of the personal computer, whereby if said clickable icon isactivated by the consumer, said wallpaper desktop program causes thepersonal computer to access a predetermined web site on the Internetthat provides an option to purchase an item associated with saidwallpaper image.
 14. The method of claim 13 further including the stepof providing a wallpaper web site through which the consumer may viewsaid wallpaper image prior to placing said wallpaper image file into thememory of the personal computer.
 15. The method of claim 13 furtherincluding the step of periodically transmitting to the personal computera notice that additional wallpaper images are available for downloadingto the consumer's personal computer.
 16. The method of claim 14 furtherincluding the step of providing a consumer preference form at saidwallpaper web site, and requiring the consumer to provide information tosaid form prior to placing said wallpaper image file into the memory ofthe personal computer.
 17. The method of claim 16 further including thestep of using the information from said form to determine additionalwallpaper images of interest to the consumer.
 18. The method of claim13, wherein the item associated with the wallpaper image is a hard copyof the wallpaper image.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the itemassociated with the wallpaper image is a physical poster or a printcontaining the wallpaper image.
 20. A method for marketing a hard copyof an image, such as a poster, print, or the like, to a consumer havinga personal computer, said personal computer having a memory and a visualdisplay, said personal computer being able to communicate with theInternet, said method comprising: Providing a wallpaper desktop programoperational on the personal computer for displaying one or morewallpaper images on the visual display; Placing a wallpaper image filein the memory of the personal computer, said wallpaper image file beingcapable of being displayed as a wallpaper image on the visual display bysaid wallpaper desktop program; Placing at least one clickable icon fileinto the memory of the personal computer, said clickable icon filebased, at least in part, on a profile of a user of the personalcomputer, wherein the clickable icon file is selected by a programmodule that runs on a server and communicates with the wallpaper desktopprogram over a computer network; said clickable icon file being capableof being displayed as a clickable icon on the visual display by saidwallpaper desktop program Displaying said wallpaper image on the visualdisplay; Displaying said clickable icon with said wallpaper image, saidclickable icon being capable of being activated by the consumer,whereby, if said clickable icon is activated, said wallpaper desktopprogram causes the personal computer to access a predetermined web siteon the Internet where the consumer can purchase a hard copy of saidwallpaper image; Providing a wallpaper web site through which theconsumer may view a wallpaper image prior to placing said wallpaperimage file into the memory of the personal computer; providing aconsumer preference form at said wallpaper web site, and requiring theconsumer to provide information to said form prior to placing saidwallpaper image file into the memory of the personal computer; andidentifying additional wallpaper images of interest to the consumerbased, at least in part, on consumer preference data provided via saidform, and transmitting to the personal computer a notice that saidadditional wallpaper images are available for downloading to the memory,wherein the step of identifying the additional wallpaper images isperformed by a program module which runs on a server system thatcommunicates over a network with the personal computer.
 21. The methodof claim 20, wherein displaying said clickable icon with said wallpaperimage comprises displaying the clickable icon persistently on a desktopof the personal computer.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein displayingsaid clickable icon with said wallpaper image comprises embedding theclickable icon within said wallpaper image.
 23. A method of providingcontent to a consumer having a personal computer with a visual display,the method comprising: providing a wallpaper desktop program operationalon the personal computer for displaying one or more wallpaper images onthe visual display; selecting a wallpaper image to display on the visualdisplay of the personal computer, said wallpaper images represented by awallpaper image file; selecting a clickable image to display within thewallpaper image on the visual display of the personal computer, saidclickable image represented by a clickable image file, and beingassociated with a URL, where the clickable image is selected by aprogram module based, at least in part, on user profile data, whereinthe program module runs on a server system that communicates over acomputer network with the wallpaper desktop program; embedding theclickable image within the wallpaper image by combining file code of theclickable image file with file code of the wallpaper image file, togenerate a modified wallpaper image that includes the clickable image;and displaying the modified wallpaper image on the visual display asdesktop wallpaper such that selection of the clickable image causes thepersonal computer to access the URL.
 24. The method of claim 23, whereinthe modified wallpaper image is represented as a single image file thatcontains file code of both the clickable image file and the wallpaperimage file.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the clickable image isan icon.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising displaying anadditional icon within the modified wallpaper image by overlaying theadditional icon on the modified wallpaper image, without embedding theadditional icon therein.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the step ofselecting the clickable image is performed by a server based on a userprofile associated with the personal computer, said server beingseparate from the personal computer.
 28. The method of claim 23, whereinthe user profile data includes a wallpaper image download history of auser, and said wallpaper image download history is taken intoconsideration in programmatically selecting the clickable image.
 29. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the user profile data includes wallpaperimage search criteria specified by a user, and said wallpaper imagesearch criteria is taken into consideration in programmaticallyselecting the clickable image.
 30. The method of claim 23, wherein theclickable image is selected by a server based on a user profileassociated with the personal computer, and the step of embedding theclickable icon within the wallpaper image is performed before thewallpaper image is downloaded to the personal computer.
 31. The methodof claim 23, wherein the URL is a URL of a web site that provides a useroption to purchase an item associated with the wallpaper image.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the item is a hard copy of the wallpaperimage.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the item is a product that isshown in the wallpaper image.
 34. The method of claim 23, wherein thesteps of selecting the wallpaper image and selecting the clickable imageare performed programmatically by a server system that communicates withthe personal computer.